absolutely perfect ad for knicks fans
- beautiful song choice
- perfect "everyman" character choice aligned to ICP
- very cool shots. feels authentic but cinematic.
- "never slept. always dreamed" hits you in the feels esp with the music
- tasteful shot of the nike shoes. not overdone
no critiques. this is as good as it gets.
nike is the GOAT here so this video is worth studying.
the main character is the perfect encapsulation of the everyman basketball fan - Nike's best customer.
he's clearly not an athletic basketball player type. he's a scrawny, semi-toothless kid with a silly way of running. but he's running his heart out. which says "we're for anyone and everyone who gives it their all"
having him running alone portrays him as an outsider in search of belonging, which he finds when he sees the crowd. the expression he has when he sees them is the ultimate "sad-happy" feeling. which anyone who has felt alone rooting for a losing team, being a minority, or just being overwhelmed by the size of nyc has felt. v relatable.
most interesting part was the few seconds where a white kid wearing the Mets hat was running next to him, before he pulled ahead. to me this is about acknowledging that the knicks aren't the only ones pushing and there are no class divides when it comes to sports.
the music is the chefs kiss. Sinatra and Jay Z/Alicia Keys have been 90% of the New York music, but they don't have the same emotional weight as Billy Joel's New York State of Mind.
it makes you want to cry tears of joy more than scream your lungs out or clink martini glasses, which is why this ad is so so powerful.